Final 2003 Scouting Report: 3B, Aaron Baldiris

Calvin Young

09/22/2003

Aaron Baldiris is an International free agent signee in 1999 hailing from Venezuela. Baldiris was a teammate of Jose Reyes at Kingsport in 2000, but had limited at bats due to a serious elbow ailment. Baldiris had surgery causing him to miss the entire 2001 season.

Baldiris hit a combined .322 at Columbia and Brooklyn. With the exception of a barely acceptable XBA and SB success rate, Baldiris' peripherals were excellent: 1 BB per 7.4 AB; 1 K per 7.1 AB; K/BB ratio of 1.04, 15 SB in 22 SBA a success rate of 68.2%. After June 6th, Baldiris' XBA improved to a solid .091. Baldiris' low K-rate projects to a high BA hitter especially given his solid speed. The improved XBA also supports Baldiris' consistently hitting the ball hard.

Over his career, Baldiris drew 116 bases on balls while striking out 117 times in 888 at bats.

Year

Team

AVG.

AB

Hits

HR

RBI

R

SB

BB

K

OBP

SLG

2003

Cap City

.313

393

123

6

68

55

13

51

55

.396

.427

2002

Brooklyn

.303

33

10

0

2

5

2

1

2

.333

.343

2002

Kingsport

.327

217

71

3

24

31

9

14

24

.390

.419

2001

Kingsport

DNP

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2000

Univ. de Carabobo

.353

157

49

7

35

24

4

37

23

.497

.570

*Stats as of 9/7/03.

Batting and Power. Baldiris has a strong lower body and room to fill out, so he should increase the power he has demonstrated so far, but it would be difficult to project him to more than 18-22 HR hitter. Baldiris uses a leg kick as a timing mechanism and drives the ball well to all fields. Expect him to hit for .280-.300 average.

Baserunning and Speed. Baldiris has good speed. He needs to continue to improve his base stealing and base running skills.

Defense. Baldiris already plays solid defense and has a solid arm. He should develop into a good defensive player. He can also play 1B. But he lacks the desired power at 1B.

Projection. Starter at 3B.

ETA. 2006. At the earliest. His ability to play multiple positions should allow him to break in as utility player. As David Wright blocks his path, Baldiris' progress through the system slowly. As evidence by Baldiris being demoted to Brooklyn rather than promoted to St. Lucie after a fine season in the South Atlantic League.

COMMENTS

The Mets possess solid depth at 3B with Wright, Baldiris, and Shawn Bowman. Baldiris was named the Mets MVP for Columbia in 2003. Baldiris' peripheral stats are outstanding save XBA. He should evolve into a top third baseman.

1. Aaron Baldiris could challenge Wright for the top 3B prospect especially if he fills out and add some power.

2. David Wright, the top 3B prospect, is very advanced player. He should be the Mets 3B of the future.

3. Shawn Bowman, the Mets' 2002 12th round selection, struggled in 2003. He is a fine defensive player wo projects to hit with some power. He won't turn 19 until December.

4. Stacy Bennett can also catch and play first base.

5. Brett Harper, a left-handed hitter, can play both third and first. Harper displayed power for the first time with 26 extra-base hits in 201 AB.

6. Rodney Nye is an oldster who will need a big season at AAA in 2004 to be given even marginal prospect status. Nye won the Sterling Award as the MVP of the Binghamton Mets. He was also voted the top defensive player at 3B in the Eastern League.